26 JD starting issues

[harleytoprock]

Steve, It sounds like you did an excellent job and your timing is spot on. You can also fine tune the timing with the points gap. To retard-smaller gap, to advance -bigger gap. Any points gap between .018" and .024" would have satisfactory dwell. I hope I was of some help. Have fun!

[Steve Swan]

Steve, It sounds like you did an excellent job and your timing is spot on. You can also fine tune the timing with the points gap. To retard-smaller gap, to advance -bigger gap. Any points gap between .018" and .024" would have satisfactory dwell. I hope I was of some help. Have fun!

Yes ! You definitely are ! Thank you ! It will be interesting to learn what Mike finds !

when the engine is in the frame what is the best way to time ignition ?

(i'm thinking of making a pin for the TDC tool, so that when the piston touches the pin at 7/16", i will know where that position is.)

[MassHarley]

I had to leave for work for a week or so. When I return I will try to adjust the BTDC timing to 7/16". Would this dimension be any different between a Timer machine and a distributor machine?

[harleytoprock]

Mike it should be fine for a distributor motor. It's more advanced than your spec only cause Harley advanced timing as the years went by. Most likely because gas kept getting better and the advanced timing gives a little more pep. Todays octane is even better.

[Steve Swan]

this seems like a might nice item to have have as a spare...... http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-HARL...xYaVpf&vxp=mtr

spendy, but are they available elsewhere ?

[MassHarley]

https://www.wwag.com/cgi-bin/WebObje...page=%21155533

I actually forget where I found mind, It came out of Europe someplace. Not sure how the WW one is. I have bought a few things from them and some of it is really nice and others require a lot of extra work to get them to fit right.

[Steve Swan]

didn't know of WW, i put them in my files. looking forward to when you get back from work and what we learn on your 26 !

[MassHarley]

Success!! Got back from work yesterday and went right to work on the JD. I changed the timing to 7/16" BTDC and adjusted to points using my continuity meter to just crack open when the distributor was full advance. I also corrected my sloppy throttle shaft bushings by pressing in new bushings and fitting the shaft to them. A few tweeks to the carb and it fired right up! No more misfiring either.

Now I have a few oil leaks to take care of. I was able to take a look at the oil pump sight glass while the bike was running and it seems like there is a good amount of oil being pumped through. The pump is set up now with three washers. One thick, two very thin. I was thinking maybe break the bike in with the extra oil flow then remove the two thin washers.

Thank you very much for all the help guys! It is great to hear the bike come to life after all these years! Can't wait for the spring to take it for a ride.

Mike

[harleytoprock]

Excellent! Enjoy! Have fun!

[Steve Swan]

Great to hear ! i am looking forward to spring also !